Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1887-02-24


at will be q delight to see the wee
maiden fitting about the place. Gill
bert, " his mother SAID. confidentally;
"but the idea Of her helping me is anus
ing. You might as well imagine a
hummingbird settling down 10 be use
full j."
But Gilbert had used his ewes during
his brief stay in his aunt's household,
and he smiled to himself rs he answer
ed, quietly.
wait bit mother, before you ex-
press too decided an opinion. II isn't
like you to judge any one without testi-
mony."
a am not Judging the dear child"
was the hasty answer; don't think
that for an instant She'll be COM
fort to me any way it turns. and she can
help wipe the dishes anyway"
Gilbert smiled again; but he forbore
to say what he thought
The next morning, bright and early,
Addie came downstairs, dressed in a
neat cambria. with a ground Of slate
color spotted over with tiny polka-dots,
her shining black hair arranged in tinv
braids and tied with scarlet ribbon. A
snow-white apron completed the pict-
urc.
Now, auntie, tell me what to do
she said. brightly, Pm wild to be busy.
This fresh country air makes me feel as
though could move mountains
Fairy mountains they'd nave to be,
should think" was the amused an
swcr. as tho smiling matrou glanced at
the childish figure and the tiny brown
hands.
appearances are deceiying." chirped
ack Addie, catching up knife and be-
ginning to scrape the thin skin from q
painful of new potatoes which Gilbert
had Just unearthed and brought 10 to
be cooked for dinner. Deft-fngered
ord quick in her motions rs in her
speech, one thing followed another all
through the morning Mrs. Grahame's
eyes often rested upon her in wonder
ing surprise.
Gilbert was right in his advice"
she thought IN never judge rashly
again.
Day followed day in the same fash
ion, until at last. much 10 Mrs Graz
hame's comfort, the work grew to be
systematized 80 completely that she had
time in the afternoon to sit down and
rest, or TO take what she called rest in
the shape of either sewing or knitting.
There, too, the untring little helper was
at homo, and the amount Of darning
and pstching accomplished was soon
the means OF lessening the accunua-
ton which had been slowly gathering
into the work-basket
Then, longing f2r fresh worlds to
conquer. Addie asked one day, Aunt
Sally, haven't you any old-fashioned
things slowed away up in the athcP
You know they are all the rage now;
and if you had some funny, straight
backed chairs or spindle-shaped legged
stand, or anything OF that sort, it would
be just splendid to hunt them up and
put them in the parlor."
You can go into the attic and ferret
anything out that you can find. Addie,
All sorts Of odds and ends were huddled
away out OF sight when Wa first came
here, and haven't had u chance to
look through them until now that my
little black-eyed niece has como and
put her shoulder to the wheel
How old do you think l am, Aunt
Sally" asked Addie, suddenly.
II don't know, dear. said Mrs. Gra-
hamo. hestatingly. Judging from
your size and looks. Ishould say-about
l3 OF ii or so.
81 thought So" laughed Addiu glee-
fully; every one takes me for child,
and calls me Fairy. or Midget, or
some other such ridiculous name; and |
was 20 on my last birthday! What do
YOU think of that?h
Il think it is just as it should be, y
chmed in manly voice beside them
Gilbert had been an unperceiyed liston-
er to that colloquy.
you wore not asked for your opinion,
Mr.. Gil bart said Addie, saucily.
"lt's FREQ country, missy, and one
may say what he thinks retorted Gil
bert
Addie looked up 1t him with merry
flash in her black eyes, but something
in the steadfaSt glance which Gilbert
fixed on her made her flush with a new
aud unaccouutable feeling of embarrass-
ment. aud she bent her eyes hastily
upon the wsk she held in her hands,
why, Gilbert, what makes YOU &C
pleased at our Adde'S ages For my
part wish she was child. and that
She might stay ono. I'd like 10 keep her
Just as che is to-day As long Us | live "
Gilbert laughed-a merry, ringing,
contagious laugh.
well. mother. woman of your age!
and guilty of making such an absurd
wish.
81 am not 80 very old, Gilbert" said
his mother. with reproachful cadence
in her tender voice.
Pardon me; forgot wha; a tender
subject | was touching upon; but you
needn't be sensitive upon that point |
am sure. when there is scarcely q gray
hair in YOUR head Then he hastenod
to change tho subject aud answer his
mothers question; 1.-The reason | am
clad Our Addio. rs you call her, is 70
Is this: she is just old enough 10 make q
man the dearest little wife III the whole
world;" aud with these words Gilbert
vanished
Mrs. Grahame turned a troubled face
toward Addie.
MY dear. she said. hesitatingly, q